Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
Cilantro lime pasta salad is a delicious concoction of juicy chicken, tender pasta, and fresh summer veggies tossed together in a citrusy cilantro dressing that’s sure to bring your summer barbecue to the next level.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowties, small shells, macaroni, or small pasta
- 3 oz turkey (or regular) bacon, cooked, chopped (about 3 slices)
- 2 c cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (we like cilantro lime chicken or shredded chicken)
- 10 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3 green onions, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 small hass avocados, cubed
- 1 to 1½ c prepared cilantro vinaigrette (or other salad dressing)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Cilantro Vinaigrette
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro
- 3 green onions
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 lime, juiced (about 1 Tbsp)
- ½ lemon, juiced (about 1 Tbsp)
- ¼ c extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp walnut oil (sub olive or avocado oil)
- 2 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp honey
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a touch of heat).
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool to room temperature (or refrigerate if you desired cold pasta salad).
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped bacon in a single layer. Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until browned and crispy. Add the garlic the last minute of cooking and saute. Transfer the bacon-garlic mixture to a bowl and set aside to cool.
- This recipe calls for prepared (cooked) chicken. We love to prepare cilantro lime chicken ahead of time or use leftover chicken for this recipe. Omit if you do not want or do not have prepared chicken.
- In a food processor, combine the vinaigrette ingredients and pulse for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl.
- Halve the tomatoes. Slice the green onion. Cube the avocado.
- In a large serving bowl, combine cooked pasta, bacon-garlic mixture, chicken, tomatoes, green onion, and avocado. Mix well. Top with cilantro vinaigrette (or other desired salad dressing) and toss well to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve and enjoy!